The No. 8 nationally ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team defeated the Nipissing Lakers 3-1 on Friday (Nov. 7) night in North Bay, Ont.

The Blues got off to a strong start with two first period goals. 90 seconds into the game, third-year forward Abby Whitworth opened the scoring when she received a stretch pass from fourth-year defender Madison Tiro. The Port Moody, B.C., native was off to the races and buried the breakaway chance through the five-hole of goaltender Jordan Sladics. 31 seconds later, Whitworth scored again, punching in a rebound for her eighth goal of the season.

In the second period was a tight contest as Sladics and second-year goaltender Lyla McKinnon traded saves. With relentless fore-checking the Blues looked to widen the gap. With five seconds left in the period, third-year forward Taylor Delahey received a pass from her twin sister Ashley Delahey and beat Sladics short side to give the Blue and White a 3-goal cushion headed into the third period.

Toronto continued to apply offensive pressure in the third period as they controlled possession and won key puck battles. McKinnon stood tall in net, making some of the best of her 20 saves in the game including a stop on a breakaway. Abby Lunney got Nipissing on the scoreboard midway through the period but the Blues were able to shutdown Nipissing's attack the rest of the way and secure their fifth win of the season.

The Blues will take on the Brock Badgers on Thursday (Nov. 13) night in St. Catharines, Ont. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m., and the game will be live streamed on oua.tv.